Brief Description
The Mentok Kangri massif lies on the western shores of Tso Moriri in eastern Ladakh in the Rupsu valley. The three summits are at 6250 m, 6150 m, and 6210 m, connected by an easy ridge. Mentok Kangri II lies at 6,250 m, towering over the western edge of Tso Moriri. You will drive to Karzok on the banks of Tso Moriri, before setting base near the Rupshu plateau inhabited by the Changpa nomads. The name Mentok is a Tibetan name derived from a Wildflower native to this region. The summit is an easy snow/ice climb offering amazing birds-eye views of Tso Moriri and the surrounding peaks including the 6600 m Chamser and Lungser Kangri. The trail to Mentok Kangri takes trekkers through isolated valleys, traditional villages, and spectacular hilltop monasteries while offering you some of the most outstanding views of pristine landscapes. In spite of being a significantly easier summit climb compared to the other mountaineering expeditions, the Mentok Kangri climb needs a good physical fitness and is meant for only experienced trekkers who can acclimatize to the high altitudes of Ladakh.
Itinerary
Itinerary
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Arrival at Leh (3500 m)
Arrive in Leh and check into your hotel. The rest of the day shall be spent resting and exploring the local markets. Explore the cultural and natural beauty of Leh. This will make you familiar with the town and also help in acclimatize to the weather. Leh is the centre point of Laddakh and also a major town from where all expeditions begin. It is also a culturally rich place. There are dozens of monasteries and ancient temples that you can go around. They are located in and around the town. Enjoy the local cuisines which are major attraction for travellers.
Rest and acclimatisation in Leh
Rest and acclimatize in Leh. Explore the near by monasteries. Overnight in hotel.
Leh - Karzok (4500 m) [Drive]
We will drive from Leh to Karzok which will take about 10 hours. Overnight in guesthouse /camps.
Rest and acclimatisation at Karzok
Due to the high altitude of Karzok, a rest day is important for your body to acclimatize. Use this day to explore the stunning blue lake of Tso Moriri lake. Overnight in guesthouse.
Karzok - Karzok Phu (4600 m)
Today we will move to Karzok Phu and rest here for the night.
Karzok Phu - Base Camp (5250 m)
Wake up early and witness the magical sunrise over the mountains and the fantastic beauty of Tso Moirir sparkling bright. We will proceed to our base camp and pitch camps here. Overnight in tents.
Training and acclimatisation at BC. Trek to High Camp
Today we will take small hikes and prepare for our expedition. Also, let your body acclimatize to the high altitude. Overnight in tents.
Summit attempt and return to Base Camp
Wake up early and start the summit push by 1am. The view from the summit is absolutely awe-inspiring. With a panoramic view of Tso Moirir lake, Parang La, Chamser and Lungser Kangri. Descend down to the base camp and retire for the night.
Reserve Day
Reserve a day for summit climb if the weather does not allow you to summit the day before. If reserve day is used then trekkers have to pay INR 4000 per head on spot.
Base Camp - Karzok
We trek back to Karzok and rest for the night. Overnight in guesthouse /camps.
Karzok - Leh [Drive]
Drive back to Leh from Karzok. It will take about 10 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Mantok Kangri Trek is made only for experienced trekkers who want to test their limits. The challenges faced in the trek should not be underestimated. You should attempt this trek only If you have already done a trek that climbs to 5000M+. It is recommended not to opt this trek if you cannot get acclimatized in the mountains of Ladakh. Besides you need to have a strong physical endurance to complete this trek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of highly experienced & skilled trekkers. At least 2-3 challenging treks along with 20 – 25 total trekking days in the Himalayas. Medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) and
Hold your breath for 40 seconds and
3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch and
Push Ups – 10 and
Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite skills
How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Mentok Kangri Expedition - Ladakh
Mentok Kangri is an accessible 6000M+ summit in Ladakh. The route to the base camp involves trekking through the gorgeous Ruphsu Plateau with isolated valleys, deep gorges, rustic villages and mesmerizing landscape of Ladakh. The summit gives you panoramic views of some of the most pristine mountain ranges of Ladakh.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
June - October are the best months to undertake this expedition.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The trek begins from Leh in Ladakh. The best travel option around Leh is by air.
By air: Jet Airways, GoAir, and Air India provide daily flights from New Delhi to Leh. It is recommended that you make your flight bookings well in advance not only to save on the price but also for a confirmed seat. You can also take an alternate flight route to Srinagar. Fly to Srinagar from Delhi and then drive to Leh from Srinagar. The 10 hour road journey from Srinagar to Leh can be covered by hiring a shared taxi which will cost you around INR 3000-4000. The drive route from Srinagar to Leh is scenic. For coming back, you can either take a direct flight from Leh to New Delhi. Or take the same route via Srinagar. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are cheaper than Leh-Delhi.
By road: You can take the route from Manali to Leh. Travel from Delhi to Manali by a HRTC Volvo bus. From Manali get a seat in a shared taxi (INR 2500-3500). If you are on a tight budget, There is also a bus from New Delhi to Leh (via Manali) with one side fare of INR 1365. The bus journey begins at 2:30 pm from Delhi ISBT reaching Keylong next day at 1:30 pm. After an overnight halt at Keylong, it reaches Leh the next day. The another route to Leh can be taken through Srinagar. There are shared taxis from Srinagar to Leh available at cost of INR 3000-4000. If you are an ardent biker, you wouldn’t mind taking a bike trip from Delhi to Leh and back.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, all the mobile networks like Idea and Vodafone also work in Leh. Please note that only postpaid numbers work in J&K state, prepaid connections will cease to work as soon as you enter Ladakh region. On & Off network coverage is available throughout this trek (BSNL & Airtel mostly).
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Leh, your stay will be made at a local guest house/hotel. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email a few days prior to the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality of gaiters, crampons, and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent the following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
During the day, the temperature will range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0 to -8 degrees Celsius. The higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
June to October is likely to receive a good amount of snowfall. During the other months, the snow accumulation is high and therefore the trek is not feasible.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Yes, there are stores/shops in Leh from where you can buy necessary stuff. Though it is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
The hotel at Leh is the pickup point. The dropping point remains the same.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Leh late in the evening where hotel arrangements would be made by us. Make sure your flight/bus bookings from this point to your respective destinations are in the morning the next day post 10:00 Hrs.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the expedition?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried), Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) and Photocopy of ID Proof and passport size photos are the mandatory documents required for the trek.
Why Bikat
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What's Included
Whats Included
- Guest House Stays in Leh (Day 1,2 and 11)
- Trek Meals (Starting Lunch on Day 3)
- Technical equipment - Ropes, Helmet, Ice Axe, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots
- Trek Permit Fee/IMF Permission (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder
- Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff
- Camping during the trek
Whats Not Included?
- Meals in Leh
- Meals during road journeys
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Any kind of Insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
- Transport from Leh to Karzok and back to Leh
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
